Cuandixia Village, a hidden treasure in Beijing

Beijing tours always provide an exclusive look into ancient Chinese living. Except for ancient relics, old Beijing Hutongs, Cuandixia Village is another treasure village where you could feel as if go back in time. The village appears visually untouched since its formation 600 years ago during the Ming Dynasty.

Cuandixia Village situates an ancient post road in the mountainous area, 90 kilometers west of downtown Beijing. Nestled amongst a jagged mountain range, the village is a beautiful respite from the bustling, crowded scenes of Beijing city. Its natural environment and distinctive characters make the old post stop a popular tourism resort.

First built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Cuandixia Village preserves about 70 courtyard houses built with stones and wood. They sit one by one following the terrain of the slopes in a valley. 'Cuan,' stands for "the stove.", and "Dixia" means under. This appellation gains its suitability in that it served as a shelter from the cold to its inhabitants, as well as safety from the bane of war.

The scenery of Cuandixia is filled with hilly landscapes, plush grass and luxurious trees. The charming village homes consist of stone and brick carvings, divided by small courtyard areas. With its screen walls and large Chinese character paintings at every corridor, the adored aspects of Chinese architecture from this era are on full display. The Chinese characters throughout the homes represent inscriptions from the Ming and Qing dynasty families that previously lived there.

The preservation of this site is incredible. You will feel walking back in time at every ancient courtyard homes which are opened to public. Spanning over an area of only 2.5 acres, this hillside mountain city is known to the people of Beijing as a 'Potala Palace.' Although only recently has this area gained tourist popularity, the attention continues to trickle in at a steady pace. The natural beauty of this area has made it an attractive place for filmmakers, painters, and photographers to visit and capture the splendor. Many who travel to Beijing already have a list of highly famous sites to see first on their list, but a visit to Cuandixia would be a great addition as you gain a present day look into a very real China past.